Abstract
The current paper aims to diagnose the state of fisheries of three Chinese carp species whish have been introduced in Tunisian reservoirs since 1981: (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, herbivorous carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis) and seeks to study the benefits and risks associated with their introduction. Chinese carps cannot reproduce naturally in freshwater reservoirs. Eventually, artificial breeding operations and seeding of the dams with farm-produced fry are carried out by the Technical Centre of Aquaculture every year. Statistical analyses have shown a strong correlation between the landed quantity and the number of fries stocked each year. The impact assessment showed that the risks and benefits associated with the introduction of the three species are variable. Regarding their benefits, it was clear that the herbivorous carp has provided effective and sustainable control of the extensive development of aquatic vegetation in the eutrophic reservoirs and canal systems. The value of the other two species, though, remains less obvious, particularly for the bighead carp. The consequences of their introduction on ecosystems and native species seem to be negligible, especially when the densities are low. Eventually, it seems judicious to increase the stocking of the herbivorous carp, silver carp and bighead carp in Tunisian reservoirs.
Highlights
The Tunisian experience in the exploitation of reservoirs by fishing activities goes back to the 1960s
The objective of this paper is to provide an appraisal of the current state of the three Chinese carp fisheries, namely the herbivorous carp C. idella, the bighead carp A. nobilis and the silver carp H. molitrix in the Tunisian reservoirs (Figure 1), considering both benefits and risks associated with their introductions
Chinese carps are stocked at the larval stage due to the ease of their transport and handling at this phase
Summary
The Tunisian experience in the exploitation of reservoirs by fishing activities goes back to the 1960s. Several attempts to introduce various species of Asian, European and African origins have been made since These introductions have been conducted either because of these species’ commercial value, such as the pikeperch Sander lucioperca, the catfish Silurus glanis and the black bass Micropterus salmoides, or their use as forage fish, it is the case with the roach Rutilus rubilio and rudd Scardinius erythrophtalmus [1]. Reservoirs are actively managed through the annual stocking of fry (mullet, Chinese carp, zander and black bass) and the transfer of broodstock (roach, rudd, zander and tilapia). Production in these reservoirs has increased over the last twenty years from 840-1350 [2].
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